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Dissertation
Gait speed testing in the emergency department: a nursing pilot project
Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.), Drexel University
Sep 2016
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-6967
Abstract
Background: Objective functional screening tools are an important component of the assessment of older adults in the emergency department (ED) setting and are identified as a predictor of adverse events including ED revisits and falls. Gait speed is an easy screening tool that can be performed quickly and safely during the triage process without delaying the care of the patient. A gait speed of <1.0m/s may indicate the need to implement fall precautions, demonstrate an increased risk for lower extremity limitations, hospitalizations, death and an increased assistance with personal care. Objective: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement gait speed testing in the ED and to examine the impact of gait speed on the disposition decision outcome. Methods: A prospective descriptive design using a convenience sample of 30 older adult patients presenting to the ED was utilized. Gait speeds were categorized as low (<1.0m/s) and normal (>1.0m/s). Discharge disposition was categorized as discharged, discharged with physical therapy, and discharged with other support services. Data analysis consisted of descriptive statistics and the Fisher's exact test. Results: The sample was primarily female (n=19 , 63.3%), with a mean age of 71years (SD=8.9). The mean gait speed was .75m/s (SD=.25 Twenty-three patients had low gait speed < 1 m/s. Of those patients with low gait speed, 8 patients (34.8%) were admitted while 15 (65.2%) were discharged home, a result that was not statistically significant (P=1.00, Fisher's exact test). Conclusion: Gait speed testing could be administered by nursing during the triage process without delaying the patient's length of stay. In this limited sample, gait speed testing did not impact the use of support services upon discharge. Further staff education is warranted to increase their understanding of the clinical implications of gait speed testing.
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Details
- Title
- Gait speed testing in the emergency department
- Creators
- Patricia A. Scherle - DU
- Contributors
- Rose Ann DiMaria-Ghalili (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Doctoral Nursing; Nursing (Graduate); College of Nursing and Health Professions; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 6967; 991014632320204721